Canadian Oil Sands Math Minds

Canadian Oil Sands Limited Math Minds is a multi-partner consortia to help establish Calgary as a centre of excellence for math education by strengthening numeracy among teachers and children from kindergarten to grade six. Canadian Oil Sands Limited has given Calgary’s elementary school children access to resources and math support through the Calgary Public Library. This partnership approach to math literacy and investment is a groundbreaking model that provides Calgary’s elementary school children the tools and support they need to improve and feel confident with their math skills and moves the Library beyond reading literacy to broader types of literacy.

"Idabell is in grade one and never attended Kindergarten. After four weeks and with some extra tutor attention, she is reading instructions, asking for help, and has caught up to her group. (Her mother) credits the library programs and is very pleased with the increased confidence and focus of her child."

Program Coordinator

"One child expressed his dislike for the program and how he didn't like math. By the second day, you could really see him enjoying all the activities and personally taking the initiative to complete the pages in the booklet. On the third day he exclaimed, "I really love math now!"

Volun-tutor

"I personally saw an improvement on my children’s math skills and the love for the subject. I hope they recognize that people love the program. Thank you very much!"

Math Minds Parent

Program Impact

491

participants

185

Volun-tutors

11130

hours of instruction

88%

average attendance

Community Partners

Canadian Oil Sands Limited

Canadian Oil Sands Limited understands the role math plays in positioning Canada as a leader in the global economy. To achieve this goal, they embarked on a signature community investment initiative to improve the level of math literacy with the goal of making Calgary a centre for excellence in numeracy. With careful coordination of academic, community and educational organizations, Math Minds has become an incredible success.

Calgary Public Library

More than a century ago, 70-year old Annie Davidson and founding members of the Calgary Women’s Literary Club dared to wonder if they could stir our city to action to build Calgary’s first library. Today, the Calgary Public Library—along with our 440,000 members and 800+ community partners—is promising to become the best public library in the world.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary

Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary is a leading provider of quality programs to children and youth that support the healthy physical, educational and social development of young people and their families. We offer programs and activities at 27 locations, with trained, dedicated staff and volunteers who support children and youth, ranging in age from pre-school to young adulthood.

JUMP Math

JUMP Math is a numeracy program dedicated to enhancing the potential in children by encouraging an understanding and a love of math in students and educators. JUMP Math replaces the self-fulfilling myth that some people are born with mathematical ability with assumptions that all children can be led to think mathematically.

Calgary Catholic School District

The Calgary Catholic School District is the largest Catholic school district in Alberta, serving more than 51,000 students in 105 schools located in Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere and the Municipal District of Rocky View. It educates and empowers students from kindergarten to Grade 12 through its mission of Living and Learning in Catholic Faith.

Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary

The Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary provides high-quality education programs that are designed to be responsive, challenging, innovative and accessible and prepare students for a career in education. The faculty values diversity and inclusivity, supports collaboration and solves real-world problems through community-engaged scholarship and research.